That’s what day ????
Photo: YouTube
‘Friday’ was hyperpop before hyperpop: born on the internet, processed into oblivion, bordering on parody and bubbling over with energy. Calling the song good or bad is almost reductive; at least it’s far from the “worst song ever” label that led to years of bullying and anxiety for Black. More than that, it’s fun – hard to like, sure, but impossible to hate, no matter how much you sing or dance when it’s going on. It’s made with the same playful attitude that most good hyperpop are rewarded for these days, which is why the staple hyperpop remix for this week’s tenth anniversary of “Friday” actually makes a little sense.
On paper, the ‘Friday’ remix has the best series to hit hyperspop since 100s of’s ringtone ‘mixed with Charli XCX, Kero Kero Bonito and Rico Nasty. Black’s team consists of the provocative Dorian Electra, the crunkcore jokesters 3OH! 3 and the Queen of Bounce Big Freedia, featuring the new popular Dylan Brady of the gecs. And there is reason to think all these musicians will work well together: Electra links with Black on their own song “Edgelord”; 3OH! 3 typed just 100 gecs for the surprising return to form ‘Lonely Machines’; Freedia was the glue for other congestion like Charli XCX’s “Shake It”; Brady helped the striking 100 gecs remix.
And if colliding particles mishash on this new ‘Friday’, it makes a delicious mess. Each guest sounds like they want to produce a different song, and despite what Brady does to juice up Black’s original track, he can ‘t put all the parts together. This is not to say that every artist does not belong to the song. Electra slides best in orbit with a few short lines; it’s clear they’ve worked with Black and know a Brady rhythm. Freedia has high energy levels, and it’s good to hear that it’s getting real lines instead of just a few ads. And it fits about 3OH! 3, who have experienced their own waves of criticism for making music that is doubtfully good but undeniably enjoyable. If Black and her team came back with a polished song that wanted to rewrite “Friday” history, it just wouldn’t feel good. Not to mention, Black is already working to prove her pop abilities on her new song “Girlfriend” not that she needs it.) Instead, Black and her co-workers just gave us more silliness and joy – only offered as a randomly wrapped gift.
Some great collaborations have virtually a scorecard for listeners, but not this one. No artist jumps on a “Friday” remix to show how well they can withstand their own opposition; they jump a good time on ‘Friday’. So what if it’s over?